Effective Leadership

Scripture Reading: Exodus 18:10–27
“And thou shalt teach them ordinances and laws, and shalt shew them the way wherein they must walk, and the work that they must do. Moreover thou shalt provide out of all the people able men, such as fear God, men of truth, hating covetousness; and place such over them, to be rulers of thousands, and rulers of hundreds, rulers of fifties, and rulers of tens: And let them judge the people at all seasons: and it shall be, that every great matter they shall bring unto thee, but every small matter they shall judge: so shall it be easier for thyself, and they shall bear the burden with thee”, Exodus 18:20–22.

Effective Leadership

Being an effective leader requires the ability to lead efficiently, especially in challenging times. A leader who brings out the best in people is effective. Efficiency mandates that you not only maintain the appropriate attributes needed to do your work, but also that you have the power of the Holy Spirit.

Having sensitivity to time is important because procrastination is the thief of time. Efficiency requires sensitivity to time in everything you do. If you are a pastor, people will come to your church and spend longer than needed if you are not efficient. The message you have for God’s people should be clear and to the point. If you take extra time to include your own opinion that is not being efficient or time sensitive.

I had the priviledge of attending a church where my pastor was very efficient, and within one hour I heard a message that changed my life. I can still preach that message because it did not take long. The pastor was not adding his own opinion, he just spoke God’s Word and it entered my spirit. There is a space in every human life that only God’s Word can fill. Your word cannot convert people; it is God’s Word.

You must also understand that as a Christian you have the Holy Spirit. You have been empowered by the gift of the Holy Spirit and also have been equipped with God-given gifts. In 1 Corinthians 12:7-11, we see that God distributed gifts to all. “But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal. For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit; To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit; To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers [diverse] kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues: But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will.” We are meant to know and share our gifts. I am sharing this word because it is a gift God has given to me and I must use it to bless others as well. It is what I have been equipped to do. You need to find out the gift He has given to you. You are a good steward if you have the Holy Spirit, you know your gift, and you use that gift where you invigorate others to victory. It is not enough to be a leader; you must be effective. Many people have the office of leadership, the attitude of leadership, but they have not embraced effectiveness.

Father God Almighty, thank you for the calling of leadership. Give us the grace to be efficient: to find out the ways to bring forth our gifts to profit others. Give us the grace to understand that we cannot do it alone: we must have the help and the power of the Holy Spirit.

If you are a leader, pray now for unconditional love. Ask God to make you exemplary, to give you the grace of administration, discipline, excellence, righteousness, stewardship, and holiness. Ask God to make you purposeful. May God give us the grace to be effective, to have power, and to use it effectively for His glory.

Prayer Points:

To have the components of effective leadership, you need the Holy Spirit. If you are not born again, pray now, “Dear Lord Jesus, I surrender my life to you. Write my name in the book of life. Give me the born-again experience and make me an effective leader in Jesus’ name.”

Father God, we thank you for the priviledge of leadership. You have made it clear that to be a leader, we must be exemplary, have the capability to love unconditionally, the ability to be an administrator who can admire and admonish, and a good steward; be disciplined, excellent, righteous, holy, inspirational, a steward, and purposeful. I pray Lord that you will make our leaders have these qualities. Amen.